George Russell says he is still without a contract at the 2025 Belgian GP as he gives an update of his future with Mercedes, which remains on the ropes amid rumours linking the Silver Arrows to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The 27-year-old has been one of the most impressive drivers in the ongoing 2025 Formula 1 season but is currently poised to become a free agent at the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi GP in December.
That’s despite winning the Canadian GP from pole, whilst adding an extra four podiums to his name as he racks up 147 points through 13 rounds in a Mercedes car that has largely lacked the same peaks of McLaren and Red Bull.
Although he has delivered mature and well-put-together performances in his first full season as the team leader, finishing every race except Monaco in the points, Toto Wolff seems hesitant to offer him an extension.
That could potentially be because the four-time world champion, Verstappen, is thought to be on the market. Reports suggest he could quit Red Bull either this season or at the start of the new regulations after a generally miserable 18 months of form.
Wolff, who missed out on the talent back in 2014, seems determined to have the Dutchman in silver at some stage and that could eventually see the Brit forced out as his boss also looks to retain Kimi Antonelli for good measure too.
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However, Russell believes he shouldn’t be worried as he gives another Mercedes contract update ahead of the 2025 Belgian GP, hosted from July 25-27 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
“The intention was always pre-summer break,” Russell told media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “Because that’s just people go into summer and you want to get something sorted.
“Realistically, is that going to be the case? I don’t know. There is still no contract on the table. So to have something done in the space of two weeks isn’t likely. You need to talk about finer details.
“And Formula 1’s evolving so much now, you need to go through everything with a fine-tooth comb to make sure it’s all okay. But as I said, there is no rush, really, from my side, because ultimately, Toto and the team will decide what they wish to do.
“And I will be in a position of reacting to what they wish to do. So I’m just focusing on performance and everything else will sort itself out.”
Should George Russell be worried amid latest Mercedes contract update?
Mercedes taking their time to announce new contracts through the ground effect era isn’t surprising. As one of the premier seats on the grid, there is little need for them to rush. They can afford to iron out the details slowly.
This is something Russell has already experienced in the past, when he signed his current extension in 2023. Back then, it took until August 31 despite him being out of a deal at the end of that year.
Likewise, Lewis Hamilton’s contract was only signed on the same day, which kept him with the Silver Arrows on paper until the end of 2025 – although he eventually used a get-out clause to leave and head to Ferrari.
So, whilst the rumours surrounding Verstappen swirl, there is nothing unusual about how Toto Wolff is treating the contract negotiation for either of his drivers as Kimi Antonelli’s deal also runs out at the end of the 2025 campaign too.
Based on previous form, look to the days following the 2025 Hungarian GP and ahead of the Dutch GP for any announcements towards Mercedes’ driver line-up for the dawn of the new regulations.
